Girls' Safe Spaces in Malawi Schools Combat Early Marriage, Gender Violence
Safe spaces for girls in Chikwawa schools reduce GBV, early marriage, writes Comfort Bulangete.
CHIKWAWA, Malawi-In Chikwawa district, southern Malawi, efforts to create safe spaces for girls in primary schools are proving effective in protecting girls from gender-based violence and ending the practice of early marriage, writes Comfort Bulangete.
A local NGO, the Foundation for Civic Education and Social Empowerment (FOCESE), has engaged teachers and teenage girls in Chikwawa to raise awareness of girls' rights and create safe spaces, reducing early marriage in the process.
Speaking at an awareness meeting at Tomali primary school, FOCESE capacity building coordinator Linda Thenford said the orientation aimed to educate teachers and learners on gender and child protection laws to empower them as advocates for girls' rights and safe spaces to finish school.
She urged teachers to encourage girls to complete their studies, noting only 4 out of 20 teachers at Mbewe Zone are female.
"Sexual harassment can have severe long-term impacts on girls, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Victims struggle with concentration and relationships. These safe spaces will empower them to share issues with peers," Thenford commented.
She stressed that the fight against sexual harassment and gender-based violence is ongoing.
NCA/DCA, with funding from UNICEF, is working to raise awareness, support victims and create a safer world for all girls.
Teachers were called on to monitor activities in girls' safe spaces.
Student Mollin Chipwayila said she learned a lot and will share what she learned with fellow students to minimise gender-based violence and uphold girls' rights.
In flood-prone Chikwawa where girls face gender-based violence, harassment, lack of child-friendly spaces and hindrances to education, girls' safe spaces in schools have the potential to transform lives.
With multi-stakeholder support, the initiative could be scaled up to protect more girls from harmful practices and empower them with knowledge, opportunities and alternatives.